Sunday, 11 June 2017

Day 1 Melbourne to Bali

Day 1 Melbourne to Bali
I was off to Bali to see the sight and buy fabric with four other like minded sewers.
Adam and Sandra picked me up at a little after 1 pm and we drove to the airport arriving about 2:15. Sandra and I went over to Jetstar area, but were too early for check-in but by the time I had been to the toilet the machines were ready for us. Well almost! It took 5 tries and lots of frustration to get checked in. Going to a person would have been a whole lot faster. The other three in the party took longer to arrive and by then our bags were finally accepted and we had all the paper work. 
However Pauline had left one of her bags in the car back at the long term parking, so she had gone back to get it. While she was gone we had to pull things out of her case to get her onto target weight. Hers weighed in at 21 kgs > 15 kgs. Luckily Chris only had 9 kgs so we were able to even them out. Val and Chris checked in. More issues when Pauline returned to check in and her British passport was so new, it needed to be validated. 
By now it was cup of tea time while we waited. Finally all accepted and through the security and immigration check. Easy for me. 3:45. Gate 4 was short walk and wait until our flight was called. Because we were at the back we were called first and yippee lots of overhead space. Boeing 787. First time in one of those 3-3-3 seats but surrounded by babies and small children. Took off at 5:45 pm. 
It was a smooth flight, but it was so warm on our side of the plane- at times quite uncomfortable. When above Alice Springs, it became very turbulent. I was surprised that they didn’t turn on the seat belt signs earlier but we did climb higher to 43000 feet.  Although I had to pay $4 for a half a cup of tea, it was very nice tea. I ate my pre-prepared sandwiches and fruit and drank lots of water. You could fill up your water bottle for free down the back in the galley but everything else cost money. I finished my book, did some knitting and then time to begin the diary.   
Coming down to land the poor babies starting crying the place down. We landed 45 minutes early but because we were down the back it took ages to disembark. By the time we waited for all the joints to become mobile again were almost last to the long, long queue.
Bali terminal was huge with a very high ceiling in the main hall. It looks as if they are currently doing some renovations along the smaller passages. The advantage of an early arrival time was soon eaten up by waiting for our turn to be processed. The fellow holiday makers were a wide range- the very young to the “much older”. Once outside the terminal the usual bedlam of taxi drivers touting for business and more signs looking for customers. Our drivers had been booked and waited while we changed money. I am officially a millionaire!!!!! Well might be in Balinese money, but hey it will only happen once in my lifetime so cause to celebrate.
New time was now 11 pm and we set off through the narrow streets to find any restaurants that were still open. Most were of course closed or closing. Finally the drivers found a great one called “The Wicked Parrot” A few customers and one other party who also wanted a meal. Fabulous meals. I had salmon on a bed of potato. Delicious. But not too many times in my life that I have eaten dinner at 2 am!


We set off again in our vans through the dark streets up to Ubud with the rain just starting. We finally arrived at our lovely accommodation at 1:30 am = 3:30 am. Slightly problematic to climb the few steep steps up from the street, but the drivers carried up the bags, which were naturally quite light. We were met by Komang, our hostess,
who even at that awful hour was so lovely and welcoming and showed us to our rooms. Val and Pauline shared a room and Sandra and Chris shared a bed, while I just happened to get a room to myself. A hot shower was most welcome and the bed was great. Sleep at 2 am = 4 am.

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